Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA) following intelligence reports of a planned kidnap attack targeting students.
Reports said the decision was taken as a precaution to protect students, teachers and other school personnel amid heightened security concerns in the area.
The affected schools have been directed to suspend academic activities pending further security assessments and the deployment of additional safety measures.
To parents and guardians, the state government reassured that the temporary closure was necessary to prevent any security breach and ensure the safety of learners.
Security agencies have been placed on alert and are investigating the threat while strengthening surveillance across vulnerable communities.
Residents were urged to remain calm and vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could help prevent criminal activity.
The move followed an alert from the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over an alleged plan by suspected bandits to carry out a mass abduction of schoolchildren in the state.
The security advisory, dated 5 June 2026 and addressed to the Edo State Commandant of the NSCDC, cited intelligence indicating that schoolchildren in Edo North Senatorial District could be targeted.
"It is a routine security advisory from the Service. I don’t know how it leaked, but it is genuine," it read.
In the advisory, signed by B Agada on behalf of the DSS state director, the agency said intercepted communications between suspected bandits suggested plans to kidnap schoolchildren after earlier attempts to abduct wealthy individuals failed to yield expected financial gains.
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The advisory said the suspects believed targeting schools would attract greater government attention and increase the likelihood of ransom payments.
In addition, the DSS disclosed that on 4 June 2026, a suspect identified as Emmanuel Momidu was arrested while allegedly conducting surveillance around a secondary school in Akoko-Edo LGA.
The agency advised the NSCDC and other stakeholders to strengthen security around schools, particularly in Edo North.
Notably, the developments come amid heightened political rhetoric on insecurity.
Speaking on Tuesday, the state governor, Monday Okpebholo dismissed threats of abductions, declaring:
"There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. They can even kidnap all of us — there is no vacancy in Aso Rock," he had said.
He blamed opposition forces for the insecurity and urged them to "give us peace so that we can rule well."
"What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition.
"They have failed. Have they not failed? Is it by kidnapping children? Then who are you going to govern? There will be nobody for you to govern," he said.
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